Tuesday, 28 February 2017

This is one of my favourite Dreamweaver stencils and I love the vintage look of it on my altered box. This project started life as a cheap plywood box from the craft store, transformed with a little paint and Embossing Paste into a treasure box fit for something special!

1) Paint the box with raw umber paint all over. Wipe back in some areas to distress.

2) Place the stencil on top of the box -stencil through with both Copper and Gold Embossing Pastes, randomly applying them and allowing them to mix in places. The stencil doesn't quite cover the box so I waited for that to dry before adding additionally stencilling in the gap.

3) Add gilding wax around all the edges using your finger - I used a gold and copper shade to match the embossing.

4) Finish with metal embellishments (I also treated these with a little Treasure Gold).

Saturday, 25 February 2017

Today I've created a very layered journal page using my Media supplies for the DecoArt Media DT. I love working with lots of layers, with just a hint of what went before peeking through each time. I think it gives a piece lovely depth and interest and it's a fun way to work too. I also like how the translucency of the Fluid Acrylics means that the dark grey background doesn't entirely cover my other layers, and elements peek through. I created a step-by-step to show you my process.

Add areas of white gesso all over. Add some stamping randomly using both Teal paint and black ink.

Add more Green Gold paint over the white areas.

Add some scribbles using an oil pastel or similar.

Add some further 'stamping' with bottle lids and bubble wrap using white gesso.

Scrape some white gesso onto the background using a credit card. This was the finished background before applying the grey all over.

Place the masks and sponge all around them with Payne's Grey. Blot the paint back in some areas so it's patchy (also the pastel resists the paint a little too). Outline the figures in Stabilo All pencil and add water to give the shapes more definition. Finish with scribbly journaling (it's personal - you're not supposed to be able to read it, hence the scribbly hand!).

I hope I've shown you today how lots of layers can create read interest in your designs, even when you limit yourself to a small number of supplies.

Monday, 20 February 2017

My post for DecoArt Media today is a fairly quick one as I've been suffering with a bit of creative block this month. I've called my tag 'take risks' as I've had a go with colours I wouldn't normally touch! Pink and purple are sooooooooooooo not me. I've also been mastering my drippage technique (video soon) and this tag was a lot of fun to create.

Sunday, 5 February 2017

Welcome all to my latest post for the DecoArt Media DT. For this project I've created some non-traditional Valentine's cards using Fluid Acrylics and I have a video tutorial to share with you.

One of my resolutions for 2017 was to try to free up my creative process and this video is part of that exploration. I've been free and easy with the paint to create layered backgrounds using bold brush strokes and mark making tools - I've used junk from around the house (like bubble wrap and bottle lids) but you could use stamps if you prefer something more precise. This may be the first time ever that a resolution has lasted into February!!!

One tip when creating this way is to stick to a relatively limited colour palette as too many colours will make mud. I've essentially used primary colours here - but chosen muted versions of the blue and yellow tones for a more sophisticated vibe.

I hope you like my video tutorial and have a go a cards like these for yourself.

Here's how:
1 Stamp Blossoming Woman onto a tag - I stamped her offset from the centre. Stamp the flower twice onto a separate piece of paper.
2 Colour all the images with watercolour paints (I used a loose style with lots of water so the paint bleeds in places - I like the natural effect). Cut the flowers out. Stamp the woman again onto scrap paper and cut out to make a mask.
3 Place the mask and stencil the leaf design all around in New Sprout ink.
4 Remove the mask and add shading all around the main image with grey watercolour.
5 Add the flowers on 3D foam squares for depth and add some white gel pen dots to the floral details. Finish with yellow twine.

Don't miss the inspiration from the rest of the team on the Stampendous blog this week!
Katy x